Two key figures in the Seattle Seahawks offensive plans, Jimmy Graham and Thomas Rawls, could be returning to the Seahawks sooner than later. Graham has been out since their November 29th game against the Pittsburgh Steelers while Rawls has been out since he fractured his ankle on December 13th against the Minnesota Vikings. Both players are currently on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.
Graham suffered worst year since 2010
Jimmy Graham joined the Seahawks after an offseason trade with the New Orleans Saints prior to the beginning of the 2015 NFL season. At times, Seattle struggled to integrate him into the offense. He finished the season with 18 receptions for 605 yards and just two touchdowns in 11 games played. All three categories were the fewest Graham has had in his career since his rookie season with the Saints in 2010.
Graham’s best game of the season came in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers. Graham hauled in eight passes for 140 yards in their last minute 27-23 defeat to the eventual NFC Champions. After the injury to Graham, the Seahawks really took off. They won four of their last five games to clinch one of the two NFC Wildcard spots.
Rawls has breakout rookie season
Rawls took the league by storm in 2015. After Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was limited due to injuries, Rawls took over and surprised many in the league with his dynamic play. In 13 games, seven starts, he carried the ball 147 times and rushed for 830 yards and had four touchdowns. His best game came in Week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers when he rushed for 209 yards on 30 attempts. He also had one touchdown in the Seahawks 29-13 win that day.
After Lynch announced his retirement during Super Bowl 50, Rawls became the next man up. The Seahawks will want to make sure he is fully healthy and ready to play and not rush him back too soon.
Pete Carroll talks about Graham and Rawls
In an article from the Tacoma News Tribune regarding Graham and Rawls, head coach Pete Carroll was quoted as saying; “We’re evaluating. Both those guys are pushing really hard, we’re really about going almost day-to-day with those guys now. We’re getting really close."
As stated in the article from the Tacoma News Tribune, any players on the PUP list entering training camp can be activated anytime and return to practice. Carroll also stated that the two players are being evaluated in four-day increments.
It will be nice to see both players on the field sooner than later. Let’s just hope that Seattle doesn’t focus on trying to get the ball to the two players and leave out the others that helped them make the playoffs for fourth straight season.